Two former teachers have sued New Roads School, the private K–12 institution in Santa Monica, California, in recent years. Tiffany Wright, a Black former teacher, filed a racial discrimination and wrongful termination suit in December 2022. Matthew Steinhaus filed a separate wrongful termination suit in April 2024. Both New Roads School lawsuits ended in dismissals with prejudice after apparent settlements, and neither side has publicly disclosed the terms.
What Tiffany Wright Alleged
Wright began teaching at New Roads in 2018 and sued the school in Los Angeles County Superior Court on December 12, 2022. Her complaint brought claims for wrongful termination, racial discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, and failure to prevent harassment. She said the school’s marketing had drawn her in with promises of social justice and “authentic diversity,” and that the reality inside the building was different.1The Daily Beast. Ex-Teacher Says Woke LA Prep School Was Actually Hotbed for Racism
According to the suit, a white male colleague told Wright in September 2019 to “go back to Africa.” When she reported it, a supervisor told her the colleague “didn’t really mean it,” and no discipline followed.2TheGrio. Black Teacher Sues New Roads School in Santa Monica for Racial Discrimination
Wright also alleged teachers were pressured to give preferential treatment to full-paying white students over minority students on financial aid, including changing grades. She said another Black teacher had been fired for refusing to alter a white student’s grade.3Santa Monica Daily Press. Former New Roads Teacher Files Lawsuit Against School for Wrongful Termination, Discrimination
Two school presentations figured heavily in the complaint. In January 2021, shortly after the Capitol riot, the middle school director allegedly gave a presentation referencing television producer Shonda Rhimes and used the phrase “all lives matter.” In February 2021, a separate presentation on the word “laugh” displayed a photo of Vice President Kamala Harris next to an image of an ape.4MyNewsLA. Black Former Prep School Teacher Drops Racism Retaliation Suit The school opened internal investigations into both, which resulted in one teacher being fired and another placed on administrative leave.5Yahoo News. Ex-Teacher Says Woke LA Prep School Was Actually Hotbed for Racism
Wright said that after she raised concerns, administrators ignored, shunned, and threatened her, that the school’s diversity coalition was disbanded in April 2021, and that administration barred her and other teachers from discussing the Capitol riot with students.4MyNewsLA. Black Former Prep School Teacher Drops Racism Retaliation Suit
Her Termination
In April 2021, Wright was told her contract would not be renewed. She said an administrator told her only that the school had “decided to go another way.” After she told students that “bad things” likely caused her departure, Associate Head of School Ryan Hawley placed her on leave.2TheGrio. Black Teacher Sues New Roads School in Santa Monica for Racial Discrimination About 40 days later, the school said Wright had violated the employee handbook by discussing her contract status in front of students and terminated her in June 2021. Wright called that justification fabricated.4MyNewsLA. Black Former Prep School Teacher Drops Racism Retaliation Suit
She requested a jury trial and sought punitive damages. New Roads did not publicly comment when the suit was filed.5Yahoo News. Ex-Teacher Says Woke LA Prep School Was Actually Hotbed for Racism
How the Case Ended
The parties went to mediation in July 2023. On August 14, 2023, Wright’s attorney filed papers with Judge Maurice Leiter requesting dismissal with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled. The court papers did not state whether a settlement had been reached or give any other reason for the dismissal.4MyNewsLA. Black Former Prep School Teacher Drops Racism Retaliation Suit
The Matthew Steinhaus Wrongful Termination Case
Steinhaus filed a separate wrongful termination suit against New Roads in Los Angeles County Superior Court on April 23, 2024, before Judge Stephen P. Pfahler. The court docket classifies it as a labor and employment matter but does not describe the specific factual allegations.6UniCourt. Matthew Steinhaus vs. New Roads School
A notice of settlement of the entire case was filed on April 28, 2025. The court vacated a jury trial that had been set for August 11, 2025. On June 9, 2025, Steinhaus filed a request for dismissal, and the court entered a dismissal with prejudice the same day. Settlement terms were not disclosed.6UniCourt. Matthew Steinhaus vs. New Roads School
Leadership Changes Since the Suits
The litigation has overlapped with substantial turnover at the top. Luthern Williams, Head of School since December 2015, departed in September 2023.7Santa Monica Mirror. New Roads School Names Luthern Williams as Head of School Ryan Hawley, the associate head who had placed Wright on leave, succeeded him that same month, according to tax filings.8ProPublica. New Roads School – Nonprofit Explorer
By the 2025–2026 school year, Hawley had been replaced by Dan Vorenberg as Interim Head of School.9New Roads School. Welcome From the Interim Head of School The Board of Trustees ran a national search and appointed Sam Houser as the next permanent Head of School, effective July 1, 2026.10New Roads School. Incoming Head of School
A Separate Contract Case From 2018
New Roads was also the defendant in an unrelated breach-of-contract case involving a promissory note worth roughly $8 million. That matter went to a jury trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court in April 2018. The judge denied the opposing side’s motion for a directed verdict, and the jury unanimously found the school had acted within its rights under the relevant loan agreements.11Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. Litigation Highlights – Pro Bono and Public Policy That case is distinct from the employment lawsuits and did not involve discrimination or termination claims.